updated 11:15 am EDT, Tue June 19, 2007

Alienware P2 Barebones

For the first time, Alienware today chose to break away from its complete-system approach and has released the P2 barebones kit. The design includes the familiar alien-themed P2 extended ATX casing but guts the internal computer components so that experienced hobbyists can buy and install the parts themselves; only a 700W power supply, front Firewire and USB ports, and blue-tinted LED case lights remain from the pre-assembled system. The case has tool-free access and the airflow design needed to cool hot CPUs and video cards, Alienware says.

Versions of the case are available today in either Saucer Silver or Space Black, each priced the same at $399 and compatible with either AMD- or Intel-based platforms. Both are available for a limited time only, the company says, though no mention has been made of when sales of the P2 cases will end or whether there will be future replacements.